[NGW]

Haven't read the whole thread, but Hibiki is one of my top 3 so I had to chime in.

The first half is a masterwork of Tokusatsu. It was so different and refreshing and all those good things. I don't really want to just repeat what I'm sure others have already said in this thread.

The staff change is a bit overblown. Yes, some of the changes were awful, especially early into it. It really did lose much of its tone and style that made it special and unique. But honestly, it didn't ruin the show. While I do feel the first half is superior, some of the show's strongest moments come AFTER the change. Hibiki is also one of the only times I haven't bern pissed off at the ending of a toku season.

Fun fact, not sure if it was brought up, the different versions of the opening instrumental each corresponds to the rider the episode focuses on, at least if I remember right.

Hibiki is up there with Zolda and Bravo as my favorite rider. And Shonen Yo is probably my favorite song in toku alongside Alive A Life from Ryuki.